With the relentless inundation of film franchises and movie blockbusters, it seems like every other movie these days is either an MCU film, a DCEU flick, or the latest installment ofFast and Furious. For every critical darling that had taken on a life of its own, there have been countless other films on screen that fell through the cracks. It could be due to poor marketing campaigns or ill timing for these hidden gems that coincide with the releases or blockbusters that result in them flying under the radar.
Nevertheless, as fans have countless cinematic works at their disposal, it’s not surprising that many films — a lot of them being rather compelling — fly under the radar. The streaming services are fraught with films that deserve way more attention than they’ve received. Therefore, it’s high time that we give them some good old-fashioned validation, as we rank some of the most underappreciated works from the last five years.
20Freaky (2020)
There are so many films that fly under the radar, and althoughFreaky(2020) may not seem like a hidden gem, it nevertheless captures so brilliantly the balance betweenhorror and comedy. Of course, we’ve seen the body swap premise numerous times, withFreaky Fridaybeing the most iconic. But, naturally, this flick takes a grimmer approach, with Kathryn Newton playing a high school girl who inadvertently switches bodies with a serial killer (Vince Vaughn). With cartoonish kills and over-the-top moments, it blends together the body swap trope and slasher genre in freakishly fun classic.
19Cam (2018)
Keeping to the theme of underrated horror films, the Netflix thrillerCam(2018), directed by Daniel Goldhaber, is another contender for our attention that delves into the deep dark web of online identities. The film sees Madeline Brewer in a dazzling performance as a popular camgirl who finds herself replaced online by a Doppelganger. Combining the burgeoningsubgenre of screenlifewith live action, the film proves to be a compellingly unsettling thriller about the scramble for self-preservation and the risk of losing ourselves — in this case, quite literally — in the digital era.
18The Kid Detective (2020)
As far as dark comedies go,The Kid Detective(2020) undoubtedly flies under the radar. This deceptively cheery sounding movie centers on the titular former child detective (Adam Brody fromThe OCfame), who is caught in the aimless malaise of adulthood. Once the talk of the small town he grew up in, Brody’s downtrodden detective never fully recovered from failing to solve the mystery of his tween secretary’s disappearance. But when a teenager asks for his help in finding out who murdered her boyfriend, he is hoping for an opportunity at redemption.
What seems like a comedy becomes layered with darker and more serious themes, along with compelling plot twists. Adding to this underrated gem is a captivating performance from Brody who, similar to his character’s quest for redemption, gets a shot at reviving his career following his massively popular stint onThe OC.
17The Guilty (2018)
To clarify, there is a 2021 American remake ofThe Guiltywith Jake Gyllenhaal at the helm — which is also compelling — but the 2018 original Danish version directed by Gustav Moller, also calledThe Guilty, is nothing short of sensational. The film centers on a police officer (Asger Holm) in Copenhagen who is assigned to desk work and tasked with answering emergency phone calls made to the police station. One night on shift, the disgruntled police officer answers a phone call from a woman discreetly saying she’s been kidnapped — a phone call that sets the plot in motion.
Although the film is largely a “bottle” movie — meaning the film’s events are confined to one single space, in this case, the police station — Moller and Holm manage to escalate tension and keep our attention throughout the duration of this underrated gem, which is hardly a small feat.
16Dark Waters
Mark Ruffalo may be most commonly recognized as the Hulk, but the MCU actor’s name should also be more synonymous with that of Robert Bilott. InDark Waters(2019), a legal thriller that dramatizes thetrue story of Bilott, Ruffalo portrays the corporate lawyer who took an environmental lawsuit against a company with a lengthy history of pollution. Not only does Ruffalo deliver a captivating performance, sharing the spotlight with Anne Hathaway who is equally compelling as his wife, but the underappreciated film gives us a stirring look at issues of corporate greed.
15CODA (2021)
Okay, so, as far as hidden gems go,CODA(2021) may not be the most overlooked film — it did, in fact, win Best Picture. Nevertheless, it’s the most well-known film, despite its critical acclaim, and it certainly deserves way more credit. CODA is an acronym for Child of Deaf Adults, and this is exactly what the film is about. The story focuses on teenager Ruby (Emilia Jones fromLocke & Key), the youngest and only hearing member of her Deaf family.
Not only were the performances compelling — a testament to this was the assortment of awards the film nabbed — but CODA was quite groundbreaking in its representation of disability. The critically acclaimed film is based on the 2014 French movieLa Famille Bélier, with its Deaf characters portrayed by hearing actors. But the 2021 film opted for more authentic representation, with Deaf actors playing Deaf characters. Aside from that, it’s also known to be the first feature film with captions weaved into the film’s print — meaning, the film is accessible to Deaf viewers without the need for any equipment or separate showings, which is a huge win for Hollywood.
14Old (2021)
M. Night Shyamalan certainly has quite the repository of suspenseful movies under his belt — ranging from thrilling masterpieces such asThe Sixth Senseto so-so spookers such asThe Happening. But one recent addition to his legacy that deserves more credit isOld(2021), a thriller about aging and the passage of time, centering a group of vacationing strangers on a stunning but mysterious beach that disturbingly appears to age its inhabitants at a remarkably fast rate.
What makes the film an undervalued asset in Shyamalan’s repertoire is its assortment of characters and its compellingly relatable premise on the horrors of aging and the importance of spending time with your loved ones.
13The Kindergarten Teacher (2018)
It’s by no means one of Netflix’s most popular originals — largely due to the streaming service’s lack of promotion of the film — butThe Kindergarten Teacher(2018), directed by Sara Colagenlo, is a masterpiece. Based on the 2014 Israeli film of the same name, the movie paints a portrait of a kindergarten teacher and aspiring poet whose dissatisfaction in life turns into a subtle yet desperate obsession when she discovers that one of her young students is, in fact, a prodigy.
One of the main contributing factors that makes the film worth watching isMaggie Gyllenhaal’s captivating performanceas a woman who loses her grip and makes increasingly bad decisions as a result of her obsession. Gyllenhaal’s chilling performance deviates quite noticeably from her previous roles, showcasing her versatility as an actor.
12Pearl (2022)
Ti West’s 2022 slasher film,Pearl, serves as a prequel toX— released in the same year — and the undervalued outing deserves way more credit. After all, it showcases West’s storytelling prowess and weaving an atmospheric and deeply chilling psychological thriller that grips viewers from beginning to end. Considered less an outright horror film and more of an intense character portrait, the film uses visual flair to center the perspective of the titular character and budding serial killer played by Mia Goth. And her portrayal of the damaged damsel? Chef’s kiss.
11Midsommar (2019)
Okay, soMidsommar(2019) hasn’t really been overlooked — as it’s been discussed in-depth since its release — but the horror film, from emerging director Ari Aster who is also known forHereditary, deserves way more credit. The unsettling thriller tells the story of a group of friends who head to a festival in Scandinavia for some R&R, but they soon realize that their surroundings are anything but tranquil.
Though the horror film received polarizing reactions, Aster displayed ambitious intentions for the film, which have paid off with its bizarre horror and impeccable acting,particularly from Florence Pugh. Plus, there’s honestly something quite remarkable about the parallel between the seemingly soothing environment of the commune, filled with flowers and green pastures, coupled with the disturbing events that occur within.
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